Packers LB A.J. Hawk opined recently that his team’s informal offseason workouts left a lot to be desired for defensive players. Meanwhile, others like Jets WR Brad Smith have found them to be quite beneficial, especially for the leadership development of QB Mark Sanchez.

Whether one believes in player-controlled workouts or not, there can be no doubt they are not to the level of training camp, minicamp or even organized team activities (OTAs). But one under-publicized value of team-controlled practices is forging mental discipline in game-specific situations. Some clubs have created an organizational emphasis on managing penalties, so as to not suffer defeat at their own hands.

It’s clear some of the teams below have not done that successfully. Of the franchises that finished in the bottom five in penalties last season, only one (the Eagles) managed a winning record. In case you’re wondering, the least penalized team was the 13-3 Falcons.

– Elliot Harrison

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